Why Feet Sweat Excessively

As the air grows crisper and the days shorter, we begin to think toward months spent in winter boots, perhaps meandering the annual Lamplight Stroll in downtown Milford. For some of us, however, the thought of spending any extended period of time in boots leads us to think more of a swampy mess as we pull them off at night. Why are excessively sweaty feet such a concern for some people?

Well, the feet are already a naturally prime place for sweat. Each foot contains more than 250,000 sweat glands; that’s a higher concentration than anywhere else in the body—even the armpits! Those sweat glands are regularly employed to help keep things cool and moisturized, since the feet have no oil glands to help.

In some people, the sweat glands in their feet (and perhaps other areas) are overactive, a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Unfortunately, medicinal professionals don’t know why exactly this happens yet, although some cases seem to be genetic in nature. Other potential factors include stress, as some feet may sweat more if under consistent strain, and the buildup of toxins from food and drink that can lead the body to sweat excessively.

Overly sweaty feet is a common condition, but not one that many people tend to seek help for. There is no shame in hyperhidrosis, and a range of treatments are available to help reduce the waterworks in the feet. Dr. Sanjay Patel and the staff of Family Foot Care & Surgery are ready and happy to help. Schedule an appointment with either of our two offices: Milford by calling (203) 876-7736 or Hamden by calling (203) 288-4055.